[player]http://k007.kiwi6.com/hotlink/rmxgo5zoxb/13._xxxxx.mp3[/player]
Annie had understood what ‘showing mastery of ice Pokémon’ meant. She may not have understood who was supposed to be showing the mastery.

At least, that was the assumption a passer-by could make as she stood outside the gym. The trainer and her four monsters stood in a circle (three of them ice-types), with their leader several minutes into a big speech. Blitz, a Weavile and the team’s veteran fighter, knew better than most that Annie could go on all day if she felt that it would lift her comrades’ spirits before a trial. To her credit, it was working – for most of them. The Weavile was bored, and it showed on his face. He only nodded along because he’d learned the hard way that Annie wouldn’t stop until she felt that they’d all gotten the message.

He also suspected that it was more of a confidence boost for herself than it was for them, but she’d never admit it.

An observer could also safely assume that there was something special about her team. A teenage trainer with four fully-evolved Pokemon was fairly common, but anybody that could recognise the creatures knew that most of them weren’t quite right. Blitz looked normal enough, but a golden Forretress, purple Ninetales and a green snowy Darmanitan could all draw eyes on their own, never mind standing beside each other. Annie, on the other hand, was mostly distinctive for the wrong reasons. Deep into winter, the girl was stuck wearing the same tracksuit she wore every other day. She’d picked up a scarf and a pair of gloves for the occasion, but they were adult size and she was not. Perhaps her wild gesturing and enthusiasm was a way for her to keep herself fired up… But, more likely, that was just how she always was.

“-on each other’s backs and this’ll go a lot smoother. Especially you, Bastion! A lot is riding on you setting the stage for us, so whatever happens, hold out until the job is done. Even then, this is going to be risky. It’s a trial by fire- well, ice- for this team, and gym leaders never go down easy, but I wouldn’t bring us here if I didn’t think we had a shot! We’re going to make the best darn Hail team that guy’s ever seen!” The quartet cheered, grunted and purred their approval. Finally, Annie was satisfied, and she returned them to their capsules. The smile on her face wavered once they were gone, but only for a second. Only for as long as it took her to remind herself that she couldn’t doubt them. They’d trained too hard for that.

The girl took a deep breath in, turned around and marched into the gym. Both arms flung the front doors wide open, and once inside, she called out to the gym leader, receptionist, janitor, whatever poor soul had to face her first. “Wakey-wakey, Slateport Gym! Annie Mei is here, and it’s about time for her big fight!”

❤ wizz